Politics

New senators set out stalls as Mark Daly of FF elected unopposed as Cathaoirleach

Almost all 60 senators spoke on first day of new Seanad as Irish unity, disability and housing among platforms for future debate

Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly was the only nominee for the position of Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad
Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly was the only nominee for the position of Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad
Marie O'Halloran
Wed Feb 12 2025 - 19:20

Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly has been elected Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad unopposed.

His appointment came as the new Seanad held its first meeting following the election of 49 senators and the nomination by the Taoiseach of 11 others to the senate. More than half of the 60 members of the Seanad are new members.

Mr Daly, who previously held the position, was the only nominee for the chair, and succeeds former senator Jerry Buttimer, cathaoirleach in the last Seanad and now a TD and Minister of State.

Senator Martin Conway, who resigned from the Fine Gael parliamentary party at the weekend after confirming he had been arrested for “being intoxicated”, was not in attendance.

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New and veteran senators paid tribute to their families, friends and supporters, and outlined their agendas for the new Seanad’s term in office. Nearly all senators spoke in the more than three-hour discussion.

Independent senator Alice Mary Higgins appealed for the Seanad to be “given space”, with no guillotines on legislation.

New Sinn Féin Seanad leader Conor Murphy said he believed the “constitutional issue” would be the “final issue” over the next number of years. The Seanad had a great opportunity “to begin the necessary discussions or preparations in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement principles”.

Those principles called for “respect, inclusivity, dialogue with people who consider themselves British, Irish or neither, across this island”, to try to build a better future for all on the island.

He would press the Government to “deliver on its commitment” particularly for voting rights for citizens in the North in the presidential election, but also for those living abroad.

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, the party’s first ever member of the Upper House said as a Belfast woman living in the southeast “it’s incredibly important to me to be a voice for people across this island”, working with all communities on the future of the island.

New Labour senator Laura Harmon said she believed “a united Ireland is possible in our lifetime, one that is inclusive, prosperous and peaceful for all living on this island”.

The Cork senator said “the Government must not shirk its responsibility to prepare for a Border poll”.

Former Green Party minister of State Malcolm Noonan paid tribute to former party senators. Mr Noonan, who lost his Dáil seat, said “we had a difficult election” but it is “important to keep on the agenda the wider issues around climate and nature”.

Fine Gael senator Nikki Bradley, first appointed to the Seanad in July last year, said “disability is my number-one focus”. As an amputee, she was first diagnosed with cancer more than 20 years ago and tried to get treatment in Donegal. She said her father was diagnosed with cancer in the week of the election and is “dealing with the same waiting lists that I dealt with as well as the same transport issues”.

The Seanad sits again on Thursday at 10.30am.

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran is Parliamentary Correspondent of The Irish Times